Coleraine teacher on looking after pupils’ welfare during lockdown

Coleraine College vice principal Madame Skobel said that the current pandemic poses an unprecedented challenge for everyone and is like nothing else she has seen in more than 20 years as the person with responsibility for the students’ mental and physical health and well-being.

She explained: “In an ever-evolving world, the challenges facing our young people are ever changing too. This pandemic, however, poses very significant challenges for all concerned. The best place for young people is obviously school and the need to support them carries on although they are not here.

“As a school we want academic success but we also want to make sure that our students are happy, feel supported and valued and know where to go if they need help. You can’t have the former without the latter.

“I’m lucky to have a great team around me, including our Heads of Year and our Form Tutor teams. You might be forgiven for thinking that teachers are at home with their feet up in the current situation but nothing could be further from the truth.

“We have the children of some of our key worker families in school each day and a rota of colleagues supporting them. Those staff not in school are at home delivering online learning, marking but also checking in with students daily. They talk to them about their work and how they are getting on generally. If there are any issues they can offer help and advice and they then feed back to me.”

She went on: “The lockdowns are tough on everyone - children and adults. Following the previous one, we were able to secure an additional counsellor to work within the College. This has been very successful, allowing more students to talk about their concerns and worries and receive guidance and support. Just talking makes a huge difference.

“We are also fortunate to have great working relationships with a whole range of external agencies. The ability to draw on their expertise and resources is another important layer of support. We are constantly looking to forge partnerships with any organisation which can further support our students. They are our number one priority.”

Madame Skobel concluded: “My days, like senior leaders up and down the country, are busier than ever. I still teach GCSE French but the pastoral side of things dominates all that I do. However, that’s okay because there’s nothing I love more than supporting this community. It’s a privilege.”

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